Pig welfare question.

[adam2]

Are free range pigs likely to come to any harm if they forage on the beach or foreshore ?
Risk of entering deep water and drowning ? Risk of eating unsuitable things such as dead and decomposing fish ?
Risk of eating too much salt ? Risk of falling and breaking a leg ?

I have heard of sheep, goats, and less commonly cattle foraging on beaches, but never pigs.

[Ralphw2]

My uninformed guess is that the biggest risk would be them eating the plastic or toxic rubbish that washes up on every shore, or is dumped by visitors, and suffering internal blockages or ruptures.

[Catweazle]

Pigs exist happily on many islands where forward thinking sailors released them to make future journeys easier.

[BritDownUnder]

I'm in Papua New Guinea at the moment and one of the PNG electricians was telling me about pigs being a sort of currency and used for gifts and feature on the menu for all kinds of feasts and celebrations. The cost of providing these pigs is a big financial strain on people involved.

Maybe I will ask him if they let their pigs on the beach.

As for my own knowledge the only thing I can recall is some pigs in the Bahamas learning to swim out to tourist boats in the hope of a good feed. Swimming pigs of the Bahamas in a google search will get you more info.

[adam2]

Mama Westray, one of the Orkney islands is said to known for its swimming pigs.The diet of fish gives the meat an objectionable flavour and and it is therefore exported to places with different tastes.

[clv101]

Surely pigs don't catch fish themselves? Just fed fish, fish leftovers?

[adam2]

It is reported that the pigs actually catch the fish themselves.

[UndercoverElephant]

Surely pigs don't catch fish themselves? Just fed fish, fish leftovers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkTcUqYl_I